Positivity Needed - Referred under 2 week rule for suspected gynaecological cancer

[HÆLTHEPAIN]

As the title says, I’ve been referred under the two week system. For background, I had a couple of occasions of bleeding after sex (once a few weeks ago, once in August last year - both weren’t immediate - just noticed when I went to the loo in the night and it was there when I wiped and only once - not heavy or anything).

I also occasionally have a bit of bleeding mid (ish) cycle - have had this periodically over the years and was investigated about 12 years ago - all normal.

Smears all up to date as in have I’ve always had them every 3 years but I’m due this year in the summer so nearly 3 years since the last. No issues previously.

I have PCOS
I’m perimenopausal
No pain during sex
Periods still regular (every 23 ish days but sometimes goes to 28)
Got a period on Monday just gone which was only 2.5 weeks after my last one
Periods aren’t heavy or particularly painful
No unusual discharge

Spoke to the nurse at the surgery to see if that was normal (the early period) and she said that could be to do with peri. She also asked general questions about mid cycle bleeding etc which is how I came to have an examination the other day.

After examination, she said on my notes ‘cervix inflamed, bulky and unusual looking’ and that’s why she’s referred me. She took swabs for BV and thrush (have had thrush without symptoms before).

I have massive health anxiety so I’m just looking for some reassurance that this could be ok and not cancer.

Thank you.

Just giving this thread a hopeful bump for you.

I was referred for investigations under the 2ww some years ago, although I didn't really realise what that meant at the time so didn't give it a moment's thought! Turned out to be nothing interesting. I assume that's the case with most referrals. I expect waiting lists running into many months probably influences how likely they are to use the pathway too.

I’m sorry I can’t help with advice but however ‘normal’ it all sounds for you it’s totally the right thing to get checked out and you should be comforted by that xx

Thank you both. I’ve got my appt for next week. My health anxiety is going mad bur trying to keep calm and busy.

In case it helps to reassure you more I just chucked all your symptoms and the ‘cervix inflamed, bulky and unusual looking' observation into ChatGPT and there were an awful, awful lot of things it thought it was MUCH more likely to be than cancer. This is absolutely not medical advice, but might help you stay calm as you wait! Précis to follow:

1. inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis). Generally resolves either on its own or after treatment for STIs (if it was caused by those).
2. chronic irritation. Again, generally resolves by itself once you stop using tampons or whatever is angering it.
3. cerivical ectropion. Cells that usually grow inside the cervical canal start growing on the outside. I actually have this one! Completely benign but can cause bleeding after sex if they get bumped! Harmless and quite common around peri apparently.
4. cervical polyps/growths. Generally benign and only treated if they cause issues.
5. HPV. They'd probably have picked this up on the smear and let you know - but it's just the virus that can make you more prone to cervical cancer. It's not cancer and usually your body fights it off by itself.

The very last, least likely thing it came up with was precancerous cells or, less likely, cancerous cells. Even in this worst case scenario Google suggests it is one of the most treatable cancers and likely to be caught before it even gets past the precancerous stages. Apparently it can take around 10 years for cells to go from precancerous to cancerous. You had a smear 3 years ago and you know things were fine then, so that's another point of reassurance.

You won't be able to stop yourself thinking 'cancer' because you are scared. But each time your brain does think 'cancer', mentally recite all the benign things it could also be to balance it out.

Thank you so, so much for this. It really is helpful.

I try to stay away from Dr. Google as when I was at the height of my health anxiety battle, I was obsessed at times. Admittedly I did have a quick look (old habits die hard 🙃) but didn’t read too much before making myself come off. This sounds like one case where it can actually be reassuring instead of frightening.

I shall reread when I’m feeling wobbly.

I really appreciate you taking the time to post. ❤️

I have cervical ectropion. This has been attributed to bleeding mid-cycle and after sex in my case.

Thank you for sharing too. It’s all really helping.

So I had my appt today. I had an internal scan which I assume didn’t show anything concerning because the Dr didn’t mention it.

She said the redness is caused by erosion, due to hormonal changes (common at my age apparently). She took a couple of biopsies but said it was just a formality and she wasn’t at all concerned. So I am mightily relieved. She also cauterised some of the patches of erosion which she said should stop any bleeding, although to be fair, it wasn’t bothersome anyway.

Thank you to everyone who commented. It really helped!

Just seen your update. I'm glad it went well, it all sounds incredibly reassuring!